Cuomo seeks aid in D.C.

Journey to Washington will ask for $42B in help for superstorm recovery

By Jimmy Vielkind

Published 10:01 pm, Friday, November 30, 2012

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo will travel to Washington, D.C., on Monday to plead his case for a $42 billion appropriation to cover the costs of Superstorm Sandy, a congressional delegation source said.

An administration official confirmed the governor's travel plans, but said his itinerary isn't finalized. The governor is slated to meet House Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, in the afternoon, L.I. Rep.Peter King told Newsday.

The delegation source said Cuomo is expected to meet with New York's congressional representatives at some point in the day. It's unclear if Cuomo will meet with any administration officials or visit the White House.

Earlier this week, Cuomo met in his Manhattan office with Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand as well as several representatives from areas most affected by the superstorm's wrath.

The governor at first said the state would seek a $30 billion appropriation from Congress to supplement normal reimbursements paid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. But on Monday, Cuomo outlined $32.8 billion in reimbursement requests related to the recovery efforts as well as another $9.1 billion for projects that will rebuild and strengthen New York's infrastructure.

Cuomo has said the state's aid request faces an unfavorable political climate in Washington. While he crafted his own list of needs by consulting with New York officials, he subsequently issued joint statements with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, a Democrat.

Congress is in session through the end of the year as lawmakers negotiate ways to reduce the long-term deficit and avoid the so-called "fiscal cliff." It's unclear when federal lawmakers may take up a supplemental aid package, or when it will be codified into legislation.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg traveled to Washington on Wednesday to press for the federal assistance.

Cuomo, a former secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Bill Clinton, hasn't visited Washington since taking office in January 2011. Indeed, Cuomo makes a point of rarely leaving the Empire State: His only trips of note have been to Puerto Rico for the Somos El Futuro gathering in November 2011, his jaunt to California for a December 2011 fundraiser, and his brief visit to September's Democratic National Convention to address the state delegation.